Freeze Dry in Smogon Doubles

Type: Ice       Category: Special       PP:32
Freeze-Dry deals damage and has a 10% chance to freeze the foe. This move is always super effective against Water-type Pokémon, even during Inverse Battles.

Freeze Dry is a pretty cool move introduced in Generation 6, however it is not seen often in Smogon Doubles due to the fact that the Pokemon that can learn the attack are either not competitively viable, or are primarily viable only as physical attackers (mamoswine). Freeze Dry allows 2x super effective hits on all water types (that aren't water/ice type) but also is 4x effective against some pokemon as well. These Pokemon include Gastrodon, Gyarados, Ludicolo, and others that aren't seen in competitve smogon doubles frequently.
Freeze Dry is also one of a limited number of options to hit the common Rotom-Wash supereffectively. For many of these Pokemon, using Freeze Dry is their only competitive niche.
Because you do not have to necessarily build a set around the move freeze dry, the sets I've included will only include Freeze Dry, and EV speads relevant for using the move. I have also included explanations about the customization and benefits to using each pokemon. Enjoy!


Peakale (Articuno)
Ability: Pressure
EVs: 32 HP / 252 SAtk / 224 Spd
Modest Nature
- Freeze-Dry

1. Articuno has the highest BST of Freeze Dry users
2. 224 Speed let's you outspeed max speed adamant Gyarados
3. Maximum special attack to OHKO bulkier Gyara variants as often as possible

Little Kale (Aurorus)
Ability: Refrigerate
EVs: 156 Spd / 252 SAtk / 100 HP
Timid Nature
- Freeze-Dry

1. If Snow Warning Aurorus is ever released, this will actually be a decent check to Ludicolo in the rain
2. Speed EVs let you outspeed 4 speed Rotom-Wash, maximum damage, with the rest invested into HP

Snowflake Kale (Cryogonal) @ Choice Scarf
Ability: Levitate
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Timid Nature
- Freeze-Dry

1. Choice Scarf will let you outspeed and OHKO Landorus-T, if you run a Modest Nature you speed tie with Jolly Scarf Landorus
2. Levitate is a decent ability in doubles because Earthquake is everywhere

Ferry Kale (Lapras)
Ability: Water Absorb
EVs: 80 SDef / 176 SAtk / 252 HP
Modest Nature
- Freeze-Dry

1. EV spread makes Standard Rotom-Ws Thunerbolt a 3hko, with the rest dumped into Special Attack (need small prior dmamage to beat Rotom)

Yummy Kale (Vanilluxe)
Ability: Ice Body
EVs: 180 Spd / 252 SAtk / 76 HP
Timid Nature
- Freeze-Dry

1. EV spread outspeed max speed adamant Gyarados with maximum special attack with the remaining EVs in HP

YOLObird V2 (Delibird) @ Focus Sash
Ability: Vital Spirit
EVs: 252 Spd / 252 SAtk / 4 HP
Modest Nature
- Freeze-Dry
- Fake Out
- Protect
- Hidden Power [Flying]
1. You win every match in team preview
2. Fake Out to create free turns
3. Hidden Power Flying for dual STAB
4. Will live a hit with Focus Sash

Note: Mamoswine can also learn Freeze Dry but it is not recommended and is competitively unviable as opposed to Freeze-Dry Delibird which is God tier

Follow my twitch channel for daily live showdown battles, tournaments, and teambuilding!
http://www.twitch.tv/kylecol3